Neinas expects 10 or 12 Big 12 teams in future

The Big 12 has narrowed their future configuration to either 10 or 12 schools, Big 12 interim commissioner Chuck Neinas said Saturday.

Neinas, who was at the Cotton Bowl for the Texas-Oklahoma game, has cleared his most pressing concern when he took the job late last month after offering TCU an invitation to join the league earlier this week.

“Our priorities are very clear,” Neinas said. “Our first was to get a team that would replace A&M and that was TCU. Our next priority is to retain Missouri. When that is resolved, we will move ahead.”

If Missouri stays and TCU accepts its invitation, as expected, the Big 12 would have 10 committed members for the 2012-13 school year after Texas A&M joins the Southeastern Conference.

But Missouri remains uncertain after Tuesday’s decision by the school’s board or curators to authorize its chancellor to explore other conference options, with an eye toward the SEC.

Neinas said he plans to meet with Missouri officials “soon” to attempt to convince them to stay.

Neinas said the conference has set no timetable for a response from Missouri, but added that Big 12 administrators are prepared to immediately address expansion when the school officials decide.

“We’ll be prepared if something happens, but we don’t expect Missouri to leave,” Neinas said.

Several sources familiar with negotiations have identified Louisville, BYU and West Virginia as potential expansion targets.

The addition of TCU was an immediate priority for Neinas, who convinced the rest of the conference’s board of trustees to unanimously approve them.

“Number one, it’s a fine institution,” Neinas said. “It’s a highly-ranked school and what they have done proves they are committed. Their new stadium is on line, their budget is sound and they have a high-quality football program. They will be competitive from day one.”